KSI Surabaya, Indonesia Selected
as the Best KSI of 2024 Meeting with Director
Herwindy Maria Tedjaatmadja

As a result of the 2024 King Sejong Institute (KSI) operational evaluation, five institutes have been selected as the best KSIs. Among them, we met with Herwindy Maria Tedjaatmadja, the Director of KSI Surabaya, Indonesia, to learn about the operational know-how of KSI Surabaya, as well as its future vision and goals.

Hello, Director Herwindy! It’s a pleasure to meet you. KSI Surabaya has been selected as one of the best KSIs in the 2024 KSI operational evaluation. Congratulations! How did you feel when you heard the news, and what was the reaction of your team members?
 

Hello. I am Herwindy Maria Tedjaatmadja, the Director of KSI Surabaya, Indonesia. It is an honor to be selected as one of the best KSIs in the 2024 KSI operational evaluation. This achievement is the result of support from Petra Christian University and Dongseo University, as well as the dedication and hard work of the teachers, staff, and all members of KSI Surabaya. Our team members felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride, knowing that their efforts have led to meaningful results. We sincerely appreciate the KSIF for recognizing our hard work. This award has given us the motivation and courage to continue striving for excellence in the future.
 
 

KSI Surabaya not only offers regular cultural courses but also organizes special cultural courses and events, providing a diverse range of cultural classes. Additionally, efforts are being made to build networks among students, graduates, and other KSIs through club activities and mentoring programs for new KSIs. Could you share your thoughts on the impact of these initiatives?
 

At KSI Surabaya, we conduct over 30 cultural courses and events annually, not only as part of our own programs but also in collaboration with the local community. These diverse cultural programs and events play a crucial role in meeting learners’ demand for Korean culture and introducing Korean culture to the local community.

Furthermore, to establish a network with other KSIs in Indonesia, we launched the “Visiting Mentoring Program” in collaboration with new KSIs in Banda Aceh, Baubau, and Bandung 2. As part of this initiative, we visited the mentee KSIs directly, sharing detailed management and improvement strategies for their operations, and jointly hosting Korean cultural events. This program was originally designed to support newly established KSIs, but in the process, we also gained valuable insights and learning experiences from our mentee institutions, making it a truly meaningful and rewarding journey.
 
 

KSI Surabaya’s Visiting Mentoring Program
❬1:1 Operational Training for KSI Baubau❭ KSI Surabaya’s Visiting Mentoring Program
❬Operational Training for KSI Banda Aceh❭

KSI Surabaya actively participates in most of the KSIF programs, including the Sejong Culture Academy, the KSI Specialization Project, and the Sejong Korean Language Assessment (SKA). Which recent project has received the highest satisfaction, and what impact has it had?
 

Recently, the project that has received the highest satisfaction is the Sejong Culture Academy. The Sejong Culture Academy at KSI Surabaya is incredibly popular, with hundreds of applicants each year, making participation highly competitive. This is because participants have the opportunity to learn and practice various aspects of Korean culture—including hanbok, Korean cuisine, traditional dance, traditional musical instruments, and K-pop dance—directly from cultural experts. Additionally, many participants who discover KSI Surabaya through the Sejong Culture Academy go on to become KSI Korean language learners. It is truly rewarding to see familiar faces from the Sejong Culture Academy later studying Korean at KSI.
 
 

We heard that KSI Surabaya plans to hold an alumni homecoming day every year, allowing current students and graduates to reconnect. How does maintaining continuous engagement with alumni benefit the operation of KSI? Could you share a specific example where this interaction has had a positive impact on KSI’s operations?
 

So far, KSI Surabaya has had nearly 6,000 graduates. At KSI Surabaya, we believe that learning should not end with graduation. That is why we organize a homecoming day event every year, enabling both current students and alumni to build their own network.

For instance, Sasha Shaifani, a distinguished KSI graduate, achieved her dream by leveraging her Korean language skills to secure a position at Surabaya City Hall’s International Cooperation Department. She now returns to KSI Surabaya as a guest speaker, sharing her experiences with students and engaging in meaningful exchanges. This event fosters a sense of pride and loyalty among alumni toward KSI, while also motivating current students in their Korean language studies. It is truly a valuable and meaningful gathering for everyone involved.
 
 

Sejong Culture Academy at KSI Surabaya
Samulnori Class Performance Sasha Shaifani Giving a Speech
at the 4th Homecoming Day

KSI Surabaya shares its operational know-how with new KSIs in Indonesia through mentoring activities. Could you share any unique operational strategies of KSI Surabaya that could serve as a reference for other KSIs around the world?
 

KSI Surabaya celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Over the past decade, we have gained a wealth of experience and operational expertise, but one of our key strengths is our efficient personnel system and specialized division of tasks. At KSI Surabaya, we ensure systematic and efficient operations by assigning specialized local staff based on specific tasks, with an operations team leader supervising overall management. In addition to monthly meetings, we also hold vision and strategy meetings, staff meetings, and faculty meetings. These gatherings provide opportunities for all members to share their opinions and communicate effectively according to their roles. Additionally, we conduct biannual student evaluations, using the results to improve future educational programs and event management at KSI.
 
 

The remarkable achievements of KSI Surabaya would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of its members, including yourself as the director, as well as the staff and faculty. Are there any specific initiatives you are focusing on to enhance the capabilities and motivation of your team?
 

At KSI Surabaya, we prioritize creating a supportive work environment to strengthen the capabilities and motivation of our members. In particular, we have established clear guidelines regarding additional compensation, including overtime, weekend work, and financial incentives based on TOPIK scores. To accommodate occasional overtime, we also implement a flexible working hours system.

Additionally, we support our members by offering customized training programs tailored to their specific needs, helping them develop their skills and competencies. For example, we encourage our faculty members to participate in various seminars and workshops to enhance their expertise. Lastly, we promote open communication, ensuring that members can freely share their ideas and concerns during meetings. We actively listen to their feedback and make efforts to incorporate their suggestions to improve our operations.
 
 

Finally, could you share the goals and future vision of KSI Surabaya for 2025?
 

In August 2025, KSI Surabaya will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and we aim to take on initiatives that will have an even greater impact. First, we plan to host the "2025 Indonesia KSI Administrators’ Workshop," inviting directors and staff members from KSIs across Indonesia. This workshop will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices, enabling participants to learn from one another and establish the most effective strategies for improving operations. Additionally, we plan to expand collaborations with more educational institutions and introduce Korean language classes at the dual-campus of Petra Christian University, located in West Surabaya. Finally, KSI Surabaya is committed to enhancing the expertise of its faculty and staff while strengthening networks with current students, alumni, and various Korean organizations and institutions. We sincerely hope that more people will have the opportunity to learn Korean at KSI Surabaya, opening doors to new possibilities for personal and professional growth.